Middleton’s Morgan Talley to Play First Collegiate Basketball Game

Not long after graduating from Middleton High School (MHS) in May 2024, Morgan Talley made her commitment known that she was joining Jackson State Community College (JSCC) as a Green Jay on its women’s basketball team. On Wednesday, November 7, 2024, the JSCC women Green Jays will play its first game of the season with Morgan (#14) getting a taste of collegiate level basketball.

Under the coaching of Kelvin Lester, Morgan, a Hickory Valley resident, is now part of a young team of promising players, which will have to become familiar with each other’s style of play, while finding their rhythm as a team.

“This is my eighth year as the head coach here at Jackson State and each season is a blessing to be able to come out and be around the game of basketball. This season I’m most excited about the challenge of playing with a new team with only three returners and nine freshmen,” said coach Lester. “We had a great run last season finishing with a 20-4 record, and we look forward to building on our success and improving each day.”

While an MHS Lady Tiger, Morgan Talley lead the Lady Tigers back to a district championship game for the first time since 2018. She averaged 9.8 points; 8.8 rebounds; and 2.0 steals per game. Morgan was also selected to the All-District 13-A team, 2024 BCAT All-star West team that was played in Murfreesboro on March 23, 2024, and the West Tennessee All-star game played at Trinity Christian on June 1, 2024. At JSCC, Morgan will play Forward for the Green Jays this season.

“Morgan will be a great contributor for us this season. She brings a great skill set that allows us to use her down low as well as out on the perimeter offensively. Defensively, she’s a great asset with her versatility being able to guard all five positions on the floor,” said coach Lester.

Having three seasoned players who are familiar with Lester’s style of coaching and expectations on the court will be helpful to the freshmen players as they learn how to play together as a team. Coach Lester is using his knowledge of the skill level of his returning players while also taking in those of his freshmen players to determine how he will use the women in the games they play.

“As far as the starting lineup goes, the great thing about our team is that we have several players that are capable of being starters with Morgan being one of them. With this being a new team, we will be shuffling different lineups and looking at different groups until we solidify one that we think is best for our team,” said coach Lester. “Once we get acclimated to the speed and intensity of the college game, we will be a fun team to watch.”

Morgan stood out at MHS, not only on the basketball court, but also off the court in academics and character. She has carried those qualities to JSCC, which should make Hardeman Countians proud. Coach Lester has already recognized those abilities in Morgan.

“Morgan is great on and off the court and that’s a great compliment to her parents, high school coaches, and community,” said coach Lester.

The JSCC Women Green Jays take to the court for their first season game on Wednesday, November 7, 2024, at 5 p.m. playing at home against Cleveland State Community College.

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